BMI (Body Mass Index)

Body mass index (BMI) is another measure used to define overweight and obesity.

Large studies find that BMI generally reflects the amount of excess body fat an adult has, although there are certain exceptions, such as the BMI of a pregnant woman, an athlete, a bodybuilder, or an elderly person.

The BMI takes into account an individual's height and weight. It can be determined using a BMI chart or calculated using the following formula:

Weight in kilograms divided by Height in meters squared (BMI = kg/m2)
Category BMI Range

• Regular size 18.9 to 24.9
• Overweight from 25 to 29.9
• Class I, Obesity 30 to 34.9
• Class II, Severe Obesity 35 to 39.9
• Class III, Severe Obesity 40 and older

Various studies have shown that, with the same BMI, people of Asian origin have a higher proportion of body fat than people of Caucasian origin. Some experts have suggested that people of Asian origin could be considered overweight when their BMI is above 23 and obese when their BMI is above 25.

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